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Sir,
107
Inclosure 1 in No. 33.
Sir G. Bowen to Sir M. Hicks Beach.
Government House, Mauritius, January 9, 1880. I HAVE the honour to report that on the 4th instant I received by the steamer "Kangaroo" a telegram from Mr. John Pender, the Chairman of the Eastern Telegraph Company, dated the 27th ultimo, to the following effect:-
<<
The Cape Colony is now connected with the important commercial centres of the world. I regret much that Mauritius is not included. I hope she will take steps to secure the enormous advantages which this connection would give her."
2. In acknowledging this telegram I have caused Mr. Pender to be informed by the Colonial Secretary that, in common with the Executive Council and Legislature of this Colony, I am fully alive to the great importance, alike on Imperial and on Colonial grounds, of the extension of the telegraph to Mauritius; that I have already earnestly pressed this matter on your attention, and that your approval and co-operation are anxiously awaited in this community.
3. If you consider that the annual subsidy of 100,000 rupees (equal at the present rate of exchange to about 8,0001.), already voted by the Council of Government, is not a fair and sufficient contribution, I make no doubt but that the Council, on your recommendation, would be willing to increase the subsidy to 10,000l. sterling. It will be recollected that this latter sum (10,000) was all that Mr. Pender asked for from Mauritius.
4. It will be remembered that the Chambers of Commerce and Agriculture concurred in 1878 with the Council of Government as to the importance of the speedy extension of the telegraph to this island. In addition to the manifold arguments in favour of such extension on civil, naval, and military, on Imperial and on Colonial grounds, I have been requested to point out that, owing to the over- whelming Indian immigration and other causes, Mauritius is exposed to sudden epidemics of cholera, fever, and small-pox, and that on the occurrence of such emergencies the telegraph becomes of vital importance. For instance, when the epidemic of fever broke out in 1867 the stock of quinine in this island was soon exhausted, and many thousands of lives would in all probability have been saved if a fresh supply could have been ordered by telegraph.
5. Once more hoping that you will cause steps to be taken forthwith in the direction earnestly desired by the Government and the Legislature of this Colony, I have, &c.
G. F. BOWEN.
(Signed)
Sir,
Inclosure 2 in No. 33.
Sir G. Bowen to Sir M. Hicks Beach.
Government House, Mauritius, December 8, 1879. FROM the despatches noted in the margin* you will have learned that the Government and Legislature of Mauritius are very desirous that the telegraph now in process of being laid down between Aden and Natal should be extended to this island, and that the Legislature has pledged itself to vote an annual subsidy, for a term not exceeding twenty years, of 100,000 rupees as its contribution to the cost of such extension.
2. You are also aware that there is no difference of opinion among naval and military officers as to the importance, on Imperial even more than on colonial grounds, of the extension of the telegraph to this Malta of the Indian Ocean.
3. I am urged on all sides-both civil, naval, and military-to represent that steps should be taken in the matter forthwith, while the ships laying down the cable between Aden and Natal are still in these seas. I venture to hope, therefore, that you will cause measures to be adopted, without delay, to ascertain the cost of bringing the submarine cable to Mauritius from either Natal or Zanzibar, and what contribution will be given by the Imperial Government in addition to the subsidy from this Colony. Perhaps the French Government will also be willing to contribute on behalf of the French Island of Réunion (Bourbon).
4. I inclose a copy of a letter addressed by this mail to the Colonial Secretary of Mauritius (Mr. Napier Broome, C.M.G.), who is now in England on leave of absence.
5. Hoping to be informed ere long that you have taken steps in the direction of securing telegraphic communication with Mauritius, in pursuance of the desire of the Local Government and Legislature, and in view of the very important Imperial and colonial interests involved, I have, &c.
G. F. BOWEN.
(Signed)
* Governor to Secretary of State, September 8, October 31, and November 6, 1879 (Inclosures 6 and 4 in No. 33
and Inclosure 3 in No. 32.)
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70
Appendix No. 4.
MAURITIUS.
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